R&B singer Blige said on Twitter that Summer was "truly a game changer", while producer Quincy Jones said her voice "was the heartbeat and soundtrack of a decade".

Summer's is known for the global hit I Feel Love

Minogue described her as "one of my earliest musical inspirations", while Dionne Warwick said she was sad to lose a great performer and "dear friend".

Summer, who was reported to have had cancer, had been living in Florida with her husband Bruce Sudano.

A statement from her family said: "Early this morning, we lost Donna Summer Sudano, a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith.

"While we grieve her passing, we are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy. Words truly can't express how much we appreciate your prayers and love for our family at this sensitive time."

Elton John said Summer was more than the "queen of disco", adding: "Her records sound as good today as they ever did.

"That she has never been inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame is a total disgrace, especially when I see the second-rate talent that has been inducted."

Duran Duran keyboardist Nick Rhodes said: "It's extremely rare that you hear one song that completely changes the way you perceive music. I Feel Love achieved that."

Singer Marc Almond recalled how Summer's work with Italian synthesiser pioneer Giorgio Moroder had "changed the face of music and changed my life".

Summer performed on American Idol in 2008

"I Feel Love was a truly original and barrier breaking record, and Now I Need You and Working The Midnight Shift are simply some of the best euphoric electronic tracks ever," he said.

BBC Radio 2 presenter Paul Gambaccini said I Feel Love was "one of the key records in the history of electronic dance music and will always be recognised as such".

Summer grew up in Boston and started singing in her church's gospel choir. Her stage career began in musicals, prompting a move to Germany where she appeared in Hair and Porgy and Bess.

But it was her work with the Moroder that led to her pop breakthrough with Love To Love You Baby in 1975 - the first of 29 UK top 40 singles.

Her expressive vocal style, coupled with Moroder's pulsating rhythms, made the song a big club and chart hit - as well as leading it to be banned by several radio stations for its suggestive overtones.

Giorgio Moroder (right) produced some of Summer's biggest hits

Between 1978-80, her career hit its commercial peak with a string of US hit singles including Last Dance, MacArthur Park, Bad Girls and Hot Stuff.

She won five Grammy Awards and had a further 12 nominations, becoming the first black artist to win a Grammy in a rock category - taking best rock vocal performance for Hot Stuff in 1979.

Her influence stretched across musical boundaries, with Madonna, Whitney Houston and David Guetta among the artists who sampled her, while Bruce Springsteen wrote songs for her.

Producer Pete Waterman, who worked with the singer on tracks including This Time I Know It's for Real in the 1980s, told BBC News: "She was the icing on the cake. We were at the top of our game when we worked with her. She was just fantastic.

"Donna was unique," he added. "Donna did things Donna's way. One of the first things she said to me was, when you work with me, you work on Donna time… She wasn't a diva, she was inspirational. Her talent came from God, she knew she couldn't just turn it on."

Comments

Comment number 144.

Mark Morris18th May 2012 - 1:12

I recall buying xray spex, the stranglers, dire straits, public image limited and; Donna Summer!!! I think my choice just showed how she could influence any music taste...I thought she was fantastic and is irreplaceable...

Comment number 143.

Jaker18th May 2012 - 1:09

Wait till you see her music will once again be released & top the charts & it will remind today's wannabes how it should be done. She was a class act & a "Disco Diva" & the world will be poorer because of her passing. May she rest in "Peace".

Comment number 142.

Beachboomer18th May 2012 - 1:09

My friends and I mourn her passing. She was a gifted performer. And I am sure that she would agree that it is sad that BBC has only this thread open for comment while the US is preparing to launch unjust war upon Iran at the beckoning of Israel.

Comment number 140.

Ian18th May 2012 - 0:48

Can we please just let this thread die now, so we can all rememberDonna? And let her rest in peace? Remembering the joy she gave to us?She will forever be in my shuffle. RIP Donna and you will be singing tome tomorrow on my Ipod. And for ever.

Comment number 139.

Comment number 138.

Bohdan Chmielnicki18th May 2012 - 0:36

She was one of the best, and she lived long enough to keep her place, still whenenewer the grat blues singers die, my memories and heart goes back to the greatest the best one who even if she died young she still lives in our hearts - Janis Joplin

Comment number 136.

Ian18th May 2012 - 0:30

@134 Paul. A good point, very well expressed. When my parents (far less my Grandparents) passed on, the word "Gay" meant happy. Theyused far less acceptable terms then... Personally, I don't give a damnwhat people are, as long as they are "nice". I also abhor the use of theterm "Coloured"......But this is about Donna Summer, not us!

Comment number 135.

Comment number 134.

paul18th May 2012 - 0:16

133.Ian Oh I miss people just not the people who in my lifetime brought hate to the world..I miss those who had understanding and forgiveness not bigoted people like anyone who says AIDS is a punishment for being gay

Comment number 133.

Ian18th May 2012 - 0:07

131 Paul.My parents, grandparents et al also never got mentions on here. Theysimply brought me up to respect the passing of others. regardless ofreligion. They also taught me how to spell and respect those who can't.This is about Donna Summer. Not your Grandma. You actually said it all by saying you don't miss her.....Sad....

Comment number 132.

dreamon718th May 2012 - 0:02

@56. kenromfordYes, I've forgiven her. If as alleged she did make some antigay remarks -- instead of letting them stick -- why not feel sorry for the obviously *confused* state of mind she must've been in at the time? In the same way as those who suffered and died from AIDS in the 80s deserved compassion and respect, let us show the same now to this lady who just suffered and died from cancer.

Comment number 131.

paul17th May 2012 - 23:56

129Ian Why's that then No-one wrote on this site about me grandma when she died but she was just as prejudiced as Donna Summers was. She also believed (thro her Catholic upbringing AIDS was Gods revenge on Gays) Funny tho me and tha family dont miss her...

Comment number 129.

Ian17th May 2012 - 23:39

Seems to me this thread is no longer about the passing of the true iconthat remains Donna Summer. How dare people attempt to hijack such a thread to expound their political and sexual preferences. You should all be very ashamed. Donna Summer was the very epitome of Disco.Everyone should simply respect that and wish her well on her journey to the Tower of Song. RIP Donna. :(

Comment number 128.

avictim17th May 2012 - 23:36

Donna, your music was ever present through some of the best and most important years of my life. Wherever you are now, I'd just like to say thank you and sleep well, You deserve it. You really were Hot Stuff!

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